Horrall/LEAD is a public elementary school that implements a rigorous academic curriculum.

Hour of Code

Over 500 Horrall / LEAD Elementary students - from Transitional Kindergarten all the way up to 5th grade - set aside an hour (or more) to learn the basics of computer coding for the Hour of Code, a global event organized by the nonprofit Code.org. The school held a kickoff assembly on December 8th where the community was invited to help lead groups and join students. A huge thank you goes out to volunteers from local community partner GuideWirefor assisting in the Hour of Code throughout the week.

Today's generation of students are ready to learn critical skills for 21st century success. In an article in the San Mateo Daily Journal, kindergarten teacher Angela Kollerer expressed, "It's really exciting! It's exposing the kids almost to a different language. As teachers, we're learning about it too." Read more here - San Mateo Daily Journal article.

Anyone can still participate in the Hour of Code. Try it out yourself at Code.org - no programming knowledge needed. Happy Coding!

Students from grades TK-5 take part in Computer Science Education Week at Horrall/LEAD Elementary School. Angela Swartz/Daily Journal

Happy Valentines’ Day & Presidents’ Day

February 10, 2015

Dear Horrall/LEAD Families and Supporting Community Members,

Happy Valentines’ Day next Saturday and Presidents’ Day Weekend to all!

On Friday, Feb. 13th: Instead of bringing sugary treats to school, students will dress in Valentines’ colors for a “Free Dress Day” while they participate in “JUMP ROPE FOR HEART” where exercise and a healthy lifestyle are emphasized. Students will donate what they and their families would have spent on Valentines’ cupcakes, cookies and candy to the American Heart Association. Thanks to Ms. DeMartini and the PTA for this event!

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 16th: No school; Presidents’ Day National Holiday!

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 17th: No School, Staff Professional Development DAY!

Parent Education: We hope you are taking advantage of the many “Parent Education” opportunities offered in the evenings and at the monthly PTA/Principal Coffee Chats. Last month’s chat featured second grade teacher, Mr. Sullivan, presenting to parents on how to support the school’s literacy efforts at home. If you were not able to attend the coffee, the packet distributed are in our office and on our web site.

Tuesday evening, 2/10 at 5:30 in the LGI, the 4th grade team will present on new Common Core Mathematics and the new Smarter Balance State Testing.

Web Site: We have been working with the District and the Grossbauer Group to design a new website for our school. It will hopefully go live by mid-March and we are thrilled that all of the engaging things that are going on at our school, as well as our new magnet focus will be featured. The home page provides easy access for parents with updated information about schedules, events, hot lunches, important calendar dates, staff information and more! It is a site designed to be easily accessible from tablets and cell phones. Many thanks to the District for selecting our school to be the prototype for all new SMFC school web sites and Felicia Howell, Tim Merritt and Andrea Quinn, staff members who assisted in the process.

Literacy Update:

Barney Saltzberg, award winning author, illustrator and musician came to our school this past Monday to share his gifts and writing techniques with our TK, K and 1st Grade students. It was a memorable event and we thank Felicia Howell and The Reading Bug in San Carlos for making this happen. My grandson Grant who just turned 5 even joined us for the event. Children were thrilled to receive autographed copies of Barney’s books!

Pam Munoz Ryan, author of Esperanza Rising and her new book, Echo will read to and discuss her work as an author with selected 4th and 5th Horrall/LEAD students on Wednesday, February 25th at The Reading Bug in San Carlos. 40 students will eat lunch early and hop on a bus at 12:15 with Mrs. Dullea and Ms. DeMartini to travel to hear Ms. Ryan. Lucky students, lucky us! Thank you Reading Bug for your continued partnership with our school and community.

Professional Development Day on February 17th: Staff will spend the morning working with a consultant and elementary teacher who will work with us as we continue to develop our digital arts and literacy focus, emphasizing Google docs, Google Draw, Google Slides and design and implementation of digital portfolios and digital photography. Teachers will spend the afternoon practicing and developing plans to implement learnings from the morning session, with the added benefit of being coached by our presenter and members of our Vertical Tech Team.

TK/K Tours: We just completed 3 weeks of our TK/K parent Tours of our school community. We had a record number of participants in the tours and are thrilled that they were able to see up close and personal, all of the great things going on at our school. Thanks to the TK/K team as well as other grade level teachers who invited us into their classrooms to see them do their magic.

Gratefully,

Pattie Dullea

Happy New Year to our LEAD Family

January 15, 2015

Happy New Year to our LEAD Family,

Thank you all for your support and belief in "All Things Great" that are happening at our special school as a result of numerous efforts on the ...more

End of Year News

December 16, 2014

Dear Horrall Families and Community,

As we approach the Holidays and the end of 2014, it seems to be an appropriate and fitting time to celebrate our “Transition Year” ...more

LEAD Elementary School

LEADing Gains in Achievement

with Technology-based Learning

Under the guidance and leadership of Principal Pattie Dullea, LEAD is emerging as a new K-5 magnet school with a focus on Literacy and the Digital arts—an emerging field of study that uses technology to facilitate literacy, writing and creative arts through recording, video production, graphic design, coding and other mediums. LEAD will officially transition from Horrall Elementary in the 2015-2016 school year. Full-day Kindergarten was implemented in 2014-15.

The Benefits of a LEAD Education

Through a new partnership with California State University (CSU) East Bay, LEAD teachers will explore, create and incorporate best teaching practices with a focus on literacy. LEAD instructors will have access to Cal State professors and experts.

Lunchtime and after school enrichment programs will enhance learning by offering students of all age levels classes in coding, reading practice and other digital arts.

Students will benefit from increased and expanded instructional strategies for teaching reading and writing as well as increased use of technology with the Common Core Standards curriculum.

Students will also benefit from tablet and chrome book- based learning opportunities enabling them to learn
at their own pace and level – techniques proven to be especially helpful for English Language Learners.

Empowering the students and families of LEAD Elementary is our mission, and we as teachers and role models are passionate about and committed to doing whatever it takes to effect change. We are proud to introduce LEAD as an innovative center for learning and an incubator for this region’s future talent.

Pioneering Change

The curriculum and instructional practices at LEAD
are aligned with Common Core State Standards, recommendations for quality schools and with the District’s Standards of Excellence, educating all students to achieve their potential through a rigorous program that builds a solid academic foundation and challenges students to think critically and communicate effectively.

LEAD’s balanced literacy program of listening, speaking, reading, and writing is based on best practices of Early Literacy, Guided Reading, and the Readers’ and Writers’ Workshop model. Mathematics and science instruction are activity and communication-based and promote investigation and higher level thinking skills.

The Structured English Immersion Program promotes English language development of English Language Learners. LEAD boasts a dedicated, well-trained staff with a wealth of knowledge in Language Arts, Technology,

English Language Development, and Differentiated instruction. Along with their dedication to academic excellence, the LEAD community believes in the development of active, well-rounded, socially responsible citizens who positively impact today and the future.

LEAD’s team of dedicated educators is working hard to close the achievement gap.

API score increased by 38 points in 2013 from 710 to 746 (most current year for API)

LEAD is the only school in San Mateo-Foster City to increase performance in all three sub groups:

– English Language Learners

– Socioeconomically Disadvantaged

– Students receiving Special Services through Individual Education Plans

Community Relations

Research shows that readingand writing proficiency is directly
linked to student success. Children
who do not read proficiently by theend of third grade are four timesmore likely to leave school without a high school diploma1. At LEAD, our goal is to empower students by prioritizing literacy and ensuring that all students graduate with the reading and writing skills needed to be successful throughout their education.